Brother Ride 2009

The expected night storm is delayed until morning as we depart Lost Lake in a drizzle for whatever shelter we might find in Avery, Idaho. After that pit-stop, we explore some mountains before pointing toward our final blissful campsite.

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We had a good bit of wind and a smattering of rain but nothing impressive. Dawn brought foggy but otherwise dry conditions. As we packed camp, the clouds descended and mist swirled around the surface of the water.

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Mist became rain as we rejoined the road. I flipped on the heated grips, glad for shelter behind the big GS front end. The others needed breaks to warm their hands but I was too busy enjoying the scenery to feel much sympathy.

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After filling up on coffee, eggs, bacon, hash browns and french toast, we were super-charged, ready to roll. Well, most of us. Casey decided to part ways. He made it out of Lost Lake without further falls but didn’t find rain encouraging. He would head home on the highway. Bye Casey.

The three of us drove a hundred yards to the little Avery store. Inside, amyloid plaques, or something, kept us from remembering why we wanted to go there so we picked out some snacks and called it good.

My brothers had a good laugh as we prepared to ride again when they noticed the large Moto Fizz¹ rain cover hanging off my right front blinker, melted to the header pipe. I rode that way from the restaurant, my bike so fat I couldn’t tell something the size of a throw rug was hanging off the front.

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The ride into Avery along Fishhook Creek was one of the most beautiful I’ve seen (if not distracted by freezing fingers), flanked by mossy cliffs and crystal waters that burble across sharp rocks and gray logs, carving alcoves into the cliff at points.

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The road up to Roundtop hasn’t been used lately. The first mile is dense with sharp water bars. After tiring of repeated speed-up/slow-down, I decide to catch air instead — just how I remember it on the small bikes. But I wasn’t brave enough to hop a small tree.

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The map didn’t mention the lookout is torn down. Oh well, it was a fun ride up. We followed some other trails to avoid backtracking but only found dead ends. Rain had turned to blue skies and we had ample daylight so extra time getting back to the road was no problem.

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We decided we’d spend the night at last year’s favorite spot, Crater Peak. On the way, we diverted a little to see what the map labeled a “ranger station.” We found a hut with a fireplace, some wood and a cot. That’s about it. A great bit of shelter in the cold or rain but nothing to keep us there. Onward.